Hot dog warmer



March 8, 1949. KL R. HAGEN Y vHOT DOG WARMER' l Filed 'Apr1f15,V 194'?"` vr rf l In ffl: u 'Il' 'l I- la rf all", "lllllffr 'Inu' l". l. l

y f I v Inventor Kenn'efh R. Hagen v Patented Mar. 8, 1949 HOT DOG WARMER Kenneth R. Hagen, Paris, Ill., assignorto U. O.

Colson Company, Paris, Ill., a corporation of y Illinois Application April 15, 1947, Serial No. 741,454.

(Cl. 219%19')v 2 Claims.

This invention appertains to novel and useful improvements in devices for warming food articles.

An object of this invention is to provide a device characterized by means for heating certain items of food, particularly frankfurters andthe like, wherein the said item becomes a portion of an electrical circuit.

Another object of this invention is to provide a novel and improved switch means for selectively controlling the heating means.

Another object of this invention is to provide improved closure means for actuating the switch means.

Another object of this invention is to provide an extremely simple and practical device of the character described which lends itself well to commercial manufacture and common shop practices.

Other objects and features of novelty shall become apparent to those skilled in the art in following the preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrated in, the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of ythe present invention;

Figure 2 is a transverse sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 1; and

Figure 3 is a longitudinal sectional view of the invention disclosed in Figure 1.

Referring now in detail to the illustrated preferred embodiment of the present invention, like reference characters are used throughout to indicate similar elements.

This invention has been developed for use particularly in warming frankfurters and the like. It is noted that frankfurters may be placed within the invention and warmed. The preferred material of construction is commercial plastic however, it is understood that other materials may be used herein without departing from the purview of the present invention. Commercial plastic has advantages over other conventional materials since these plastics are insulating materials, both electrically and thermally.

A cuneiform body member Il! is provided with end plates I2 and I4 respectively. These end plates serve the purpose of legs for the invention and an anchoring means for use in conjunction with the switch means to be described hereinafter.

A pair of conductors IB and I8 are secured exterior of the said cuneiform member I by some suitable means, preferably the screws 20, as disclosed in Figure 2. The inlet terminals 24 and 2B respectively extend through a selected end plate I2, beneath the saidl cuneif-orm member I0. A terminal support means 28 may be built up on the face of the said end plate I2 and secured thereto by the screw means 30, disclosed in Figure 2. Resilient contacts 32 and 34 respectively are secured to the said conductors I6 and I8.

The said resilient contacts are so designed as tok be in spaced relation relative to the portions of theterminals 24 and 26, extending through the plate t2.

the contacts 32 and 34. It may now be appreciated that upon Contact of said members 32 and` 34 with the members 24 and 26, a partial circuit willbe eifected., Food articles, preferably frankfurters are placed across and within the chambers 35 land 3i wherein a bath of salt water resides. The screws 2li are in communication with said water bath and consequently the frankfurters completethe electrical circuit. Since frankfurters have a relatively high dielectric coefcient, resistance to electrical flow is effected thereby causing mutation from electrical energy to heat in the frankfurter.

Ai switclr means is provided on-thesaid plate I2 for selectively actuating the heating means by making and breaking the electrical circuit. A sleeve 38 is secured to the said end plate I2 and is preferably of an insulating material such as plastic and the like. A push rod 40is slidably received in the said sleeve 38 and a bearing block 42 is rigidly secured to the free end of the said push rod. This bearing block is adapted to engage the contacts 32 and 34 urging them into tangency with the inner portions of the said terminals 24 and 26 respectively. It is noted at this point that it is not necessary that both of the said contacts 32 and 34 be crimped in bearing block urging relation. Obviously, if one of the said contacts were permanently joined to the inner portion of the terminal (either 24 or 26), the electrical circuit would still be incomplete and the heating element would not be rendered operative until the other of said contacts engaged the other of said terminals. It is further noted that the resilient nature of the said contacts constantly urge the very light bearing block and push rod outwardly of the sleeve 38. Consequently, the switch means will be in the off position until the push rod 40 is actuated by some outside force. The provision of this switch means provides a safety feature. Completion of the electrical circuit is not possible unless the switch means is closed.

A cover means, preferably of arcuate configuration 44 is hingedly secured to a pair of suit- This may be done by simply crimping,

able perches 46 provided on said -cuneiform member I0. Any suitable pivot means may be utilized in conjunction with the cover means and perches, such as screws 48. A lconvenient handle means 50 is secured to the said closure means for actuation thereof and a friction clip 52 is provided on said closure means adjacent said handle means. The latch means 52 is preferably a length of spring metal having an incurved end portion adapted to engage the cuneiform member I0. The external force mentioned hereinabove, for actuating the push rod 4U of the switch means may be considered the closure means or cover 44. Upon opening of the invention, the closure means 44 is lifted thereby permitting the push rod 4i] to be urged outwardly of said sleeve 38 through the inuence of the resilient clips or contacts 32 and 34 respectively.

As is seen from an inspection of Figure 2, frankfurters are adapted to be placed within the cuneif-orm body member, extending across the swell thereof, thereby becoming a part of the electrical circuit as described above.

For safety purposes, a flange 54 is provided beneath a selected swell of the cuneiform body member and a cover plate 5E is removably secured thereto. This cover plate extends across the space provided by swells of the cuneiform member and the electrical apparatus is received thereunder. Any suitable securing means may be used for holding the cover plate 56 in fixed relation to the ange 54. The screws 58, disclosed in Figures 2 and 3, serve this purpose admirably well.

While there has been described but a single preferred embodiment of the present invention, it is apparent that various changes including omissions, additions and rearrangement of elements may be made herein without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, limitation is sought only in accordance with the scope of the following claims.

Having thus described this invention, what is claimed as novel and improved is:

l. A frankfurter warming device comprising a body member, closure means hingedly secured thereto, end plates on said body member, con ductor means secured to a selected end plate communicating with liquid chambers in said body member, rendered operable upon adjustment of said closure means, electric conducting means extending across said liquid chambers, said con ductor means and control means comprising an insulating sleeve, an insulating push rod in said sleeve, an insulating bearing block at one end of said push rod, inlet terminals extending through said selected end plate, resilient contacts secured to said conductor means and engaging said insulating block thereby resiliently biasing said block in a predetermined direction. 2. A frankfurter warmingdevice comprising a cuneiform body member, lclosure means hinged- 1y secured thereto, end plates on said body member,'e1ectric conductor means secured to a selected end plate and rendered operable upon `adjustment of said closure means, said conductor means and control means comprising as insulating sleeve, an insulating push rod in said sleeve, an insulating bearing block at one end of said push rod, inlet terminals extending through said selected end plate, resilient contacts secured to said conductor means and engaging said insulating block thereby resiliently biasing said block in a predetermined direction, said closure means comprising an arcuately congured door.

KENNETH R. HAGEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 40 2,405,984 Sharpe Aug. 20, 1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 757,656 France Oct. 16, 1933 

